§ SIR THOMAS BAZLEY (for Mr. HADFIELD)asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether negotiations have been commenced with the Government of the United States for a Penny Postage between the two countries; and, whether that Government continues to be desirous of promoting the cheapest system of communication, as expressed through their late Envoy the honourable Reverdy Johnson, to this country?
MR. GLADSTONEreplied, that in a recent discussion a pledge was given by the Government that there should be a communication with the Government of the United States in order to consider whether it would be practicable to further reduce the rates of postage between the two countries without undue charge upon the public Revenue. It had not been possible to make practical progress in the matter, for the Postmaster General considered that it would be best first to communicate verbally and informally with the United States Minister with the view of initiating more formal proceedings. Owing to the delay in the arrival of the United States Minister in England these communications had not yet taken place. He wished to correct an error into which he had inadvertently fallen on Friday last in answering a Question with regard to the French Treaty. He stated that a Bill had passed the French Assembly for certain purposes connected with the tariff. That was inaccurate, for the Bill, or projet de loi, was then only before the Assembly, but he was informed to-day by the Foreign Office that the measure had now actually passed.